Neighbors and public works officials said it's causing a safety hazard to the community.

Police said the spike in the thefts has increased rapidly after more than a dozen storm sewer grates were reported ripped off the street.

"I received an email from the police department, from the neighborhood watch department that there had been a rash of sewer grates being stolen. They hadn’t said specifically in our area, but they had said to be on the lookout," said resident Scott Tench.

According to police, the thieves took the sewer grate near Tench's home on 37th Avenue, but public works crews replaced it immediately, so Tench said he never knew it was gone.

"I'll be looking around a lot more frequently now," Tench said.

Public works director Michael Lemens said his crews have been called out after-hours and on weekends a lot lately to repair the storm sewers. He said besides the extra work it's causing his department, it's also dangerous for residents and motorists.

"Parts can be replaced, hours can be paid for, but if someone got injured, that’s not replaceable, so that’s what I feel most for. If someone would notice something, call right away. We would never leave an open hole. City crews wouldn’t do that," Lemens said.

Lemens said it costs the city up to $150 to replace each stolen sewer grate.